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CRP Test (C-Reactive Protein)

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CRP Test (C-Reactive Protein) Details in Brief

Also Known As C-Reactive Protein Test, CRP Blood Test, Serum CRP Test, Plasma CRP Test
Purpose To measure levels of inflammation in the body.
Preparation No Special preparation.
Fasting Overnight fasting is preferred.
Reporting Time <24 Hour
Cost 590

CRP Test Overview

C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute phase reactant in inflammation. It is useful for the detection and evaluation of infection, sepsis, tissue injury, inflammatory disorders and associated diseases. CRP protein is synthesized in the liver and released into the blood when there is inflammation in the body. Whenever you get hurt or infected by a virus or bacteria, your immune system gets activated. The activation releases inflammatory cells and cytokines. These cells engulf the virus or bacteria and lead to pain, swelling, redness, or flare. Some inflammations, however, cannot be visualized by the naked eye, such as the joints. When your joints get hurt or inflamed, your liver releases CRP. Under normal conditions, your body has low levels of CRP in the blood. However, during inflammation, there may be moderate to severe elevation. A CRP test helps to detect this. 

Reasons for Undergoing the CRP Test

The CRP test, or the C-reactive protein test, is a valuable diagnostic tool that plays a key role in detecting and monitoring inflammation in the body. Here are several reasons why you may need to undergo a CRP test:

  • Checking for infections: A CRP test is commonly used to detect bacterial or viral infections, including severe conditions like sepsis. Elevated CRP levels can indicate the presence of an infection, allowing healthcare providers to take timely action.
  • Monitoring autoimmune diseases: The CRP test is crucial in tracking the flare-ups of chronic inflammatory autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and vasculitis. By monitoring CRP levels, doctors can adjust treatment plans accordingly.
  • Assessing treatment effectiveness: If you're undergoing treatment for an inflammatory condition, the CRP test helps determine the effectiveness of anti-inflammatory medications or other therapies, guiding adjustments as needed.
  • Evaluating cardiovascular risk: The high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) test is used to evaluate the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This test can assess the likelihood of having a heart attack by detecting even slight increases in CRP levels associated with inflammation in blood vessels.
  • Monitoring chronic conditions: The CRP test is also valuable for monitoring chronic inflammatory conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis), lung diseases, and more.
  • Pregnancy and infections: During pregnancy, a CRP test may be recommended to check for potential infections if the waters break early, helping to ensure the health of both mother and baby.
  • Inflammation and other health issues: While the CRP test is not specific for cancer detection, elevated CRP levels can indicate inflammation that may be associated with various health issues, including cancer.

List of Parameters Considered During the CRP Test

The CRP test primarily measures the level of C-reactive protein (CRP) in the blood. Here's what the parameters indicate:

  • CRP Level: This is the main parameter measured, indicating the presence and severity of inflammation in the body.
    • Normal Levels (less than 5 mg/L or 0.3 mg/dL): Minimal or no inflammation
    • Minor Elevation (0.3 to 1.0 mg/dL): Mild inflammation or non-specific causes such as high BMI or minor autoimmune disease activity
    • Moderate Elevation (1.0 to 10 mg/dL): Moderate inflammation due to infections, autoimmune diseases, or other inflammatory conditions
    • Marked Elevation (greater than 10 mg/dL): Significant inflammation associated with acute bacterial infections, systemic vasculitis, or major trauma
  • High-Sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP): This parameter assesses cardiovascular disease risk. Levels less than 1.0 mg/L indicate low risk, 1.0 to 3.0 mg/L suggest moderate risk, and greater than 3.0 mg/L indicate high risk.

Home Collection for CRP Test Near You

Metropolis Healthcare offers a seamless and convenient home sample collection service for CRP blood tests, ensuring your comfort and safety without compromising on testing accuracy. A trained phlebotomist will visit you at home to collect the sample, maintaining high standards of sample handling. With a focus on reliability and quick turnaround times, Metropolis Healthcare ensures that you receive precise results without the need to visit a diagnostic centre for a CRP test. Their home collection option saves you time and effort while prioritizing your health and making high-quality diagnostic testing accessible and hassle-free.

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CRP Test (C-Reactive Protein) Price

Metropolis Healthcare is a leading diagnostics centre and pathology lab in India equipped with the latest state-of-the-art technologies that provides the CRP Test (C-Reactive Protein) with a clear pricing structure. The CRP Test (C-Reactive Protein) Price in Mumbai is ₹ 590 . We are committed to deliver accurate and quality results from the best labs in India with complete transparency regarding test cost and turnaround time. No matter where you are, we strive to offer patients high-quality service that is affordable and accessible.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • CRP test is done to assess presence of inflammation which results from infection, autoimmune diseases and injury which are common causes of unexplained fever, and joint pains.
  • Serial measurements over days can provide useful information about the level & severity of the condition.
  • The CRP test is performed to diagnose or monitor acute or chronic conditions that lead to inflammation in the body, such as rheumatoid arthritis, SLE, heart disease, IBS, sepsis, etc.

CRP test measures the level of C-reactive protein in blood.

CRP test requires a blood sample. A tourniquet (elastic) band is placed tightly on the upper arm. The patient is then asked to make a fist. This helps in the build-up of blood filling the veins. The skin is disinfected before needle insertion and the blood sample is collected in vacutainer. 

  • A high CRP levels are a non-specific indicator of inflammation & injury. Results should be interpreted in light of clinical history of the patient and results of other biomarkers. 
  • A low CRP result, despite inflammation, can occur in patients with liver disease.
  • A moderately high CRP test could be due to the following conditions - SLE, heart attack, inflammation of the pancreas, or inflammation of the lung.
  • A marked high CRP test is associated with acute bacterial infection, viral infection, systemic inflammation of the blood vessels, or trauma.
  • A severely high CRP test is majorly associated with acute bacterial infection.

After having a high CRP test, you may go for a retest post-treatment to monitor your CRP levels. A decreasing value means that the treatment is working for you.

  • High-sensitivity CRP levels of less than 2 mg/L mean a lower risk of heart disease.
  • High-sensitivity CRP levels of more than or equal to 2 mg/L mean a higher risk of heart disease.

There is no preparation required for the CRP test. However, you may refer to your healthcare provider or laboratory for any recommendations.

CRP is usually measured in mg/L. Some laboratories measure it in mg/dL. The values are as given below:

  • Normal: Less than 0.9 mg/dL
  • High: 0.3 to 1.0 mg/dL
  • Moderately high: 1 to 10 mg/dL
  • Severely high: More than 50 mg/dL

The following factors affect a CRP test -

  • Obesity
  • Depression
  • Lack of sleep
  • Pregnancy
  • Estrogen-based medications like birth control pills
  • Chronic conditions like autoimmune diseases
  • Common cold
  • Smoking
  • Gingivitis
  • Recent injury
  • Diabetes

Other tests that can be prescribed along with the CRP test depend upon the condition for which a CRP test has been recommended by your doctor. For example, a hs-CRP test (high-sensitivity C-reactive Protein test) may be prescribed for diagnosing the risk of heart disease. Consult your doctor for more information.

Your doctor may advise you to go for a CRP test if you have the following symptoms:

  • Fever with chills
  • Rapid breathing
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Unexplained exhaustion
  • Pain
  • Headache
  • Difficulty in sleeping
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Indigestion
  • Loss of appetite
  • Muscular stiffness
  • Muscular soreness and weakness

CRP test is usually done to diagnose or rule out certain conditions. People who have symptoms of the following conditions should go for a CRP test:

  • Fungal infection
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBS)
  • Sepsis
  • Arthritis
  • Heart disease
  • Risk of second heart attack
  • Rheumatic fever
  • SLE (Systemic lupus erythematosus)
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Pelvis Inflammatory Disease
  • Cancer
  • Organ or tissue injury
  • Inflammation of the lining of the heart (Pericarditis)
  • Osteomyelitis

The CRP test is a blood test that measures the level of C-reactive protein in the bloodstream, which helps to identify and monitor any inflammation caused by infections, autoimmune diseases, or other inflammatory conditions.

The CRP test is essential as it provides a quick and reliable way to detect and monitor inflammation, aiding in diagnosing and managing various conditions, assessing treatment effectiveness, and monitoring disease progression.

The benefits of the C-reactive protein test include early detection of inflammation, monitoring treatment effectiveness for inflammatory diseases, assessing cardiovascular disease risk, aiding in the diagnosis and management of autoimmune diseases and infections, and providing a sensitive marker for overall inflammatory status.

No special preparation, including fasting, is required for a CRP blood test. However, it is best to follow any specific instructions provided by your healthcare provider or the pathology collection centre.

Although high CRP levels can be linked to certain types of cancer, the CRP test itself cannot specifically detect cancer. It is a non-specific test that detects inflammation, and further diagnostic tests are required to identify the underlying cause.

Yes, you can get the CRP tests done at home via labs like Metropolis Healthcare, where a trained phlebotomist will visit your home to collect the required samples.

Typically, CRP test reports are available within 4 hours, though this timeframe may vary based on when the sample is collected and processed

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